The first Mayakov readings took place in Moscow in 1958 during the opening of the monument to Vladimir Mayakovsky on Triumphal Square: after the official performance of Yevtushenko and Voznesensky, the line of lovers who wanted to read the poems lined up for the microphone. They liked this evening so much that the audience decided to meet in the square every week. Up to 15 thousand listeners came to reading, but, despite popularity, they lasted only 3 years.